May 2016

Starting Your Law Firm: Must-Read Resources at the San Francisco Law Library

The San Francisco Law Library maintains a comprehensive Law Practice Management (LPM) Collection, with publications that detail all aspects of opening a practice—client relations, billing, marketing, finances, risk management, technology, and more. This post introduces the Law Library’s LPM resources…

Mock Trial Season Comes to an End

After nine months of exciting competitions and grueling practice sessions, the Lowell Mock Trial Team’s 2015-2016 thrilling season has come to an end with a strong showing at the Constitutional Rights Foundation’s annual state competition in Sacramento. Mock trial is…

Job Shadowing Program Expands in 2016

More than 80 people attended the Open Doors 1L Job Shadow Program thank you reception at Schiff Hardin. The reception was held to thank the more than 30 host employers and 34 1L student participants from University of San Francisco…

Twenty Years a Delegate

I attended my first Conference of Delegates as a BASF delegate in 1978, and I attended conferences yearly over the next decade, eventually becoming chair of the BASF delegation. Back then the conference was a function of the State Bar…

Mediator Ron Kelly Receives President’s Award from ADR Association

The Association for Dispute Resolution of Northern California (ADRNC) presented BASF member Ron Kelly with a President’s Award at their annual conference in March. This award is presented to reco-gnize excellence and outstanding contributions to the field of Dispute Resolution…

LRIS Business Law Center Launches During National Small Business Week

The month of May marks a national celebration of the 28 million small businesses across the country, employers for over half of American workers. In furtherance of this special focus, the San Francisco-Marin Lawyer Referral and Information Service (LRIS) will…

Paralegal Section Member Spotlight: Rhonda Andrew

In my interview of Vice Chair Rhonda Andrew, Senior Litigation Paralegal at Keker & Van Nest, she shares her unique path to becoming a paralegal and the driving forces in her life: family, faith and a life of service. Education…

Engage Your Summer Associates in Pro Bono Service with the Justice & Diversity Center

Do you hope to teach your summer associates practical skills and the importance of pro bono work? They’ll learn both through the Homeless Advocacy Project’s (HAP) Summer Associates in Public Service Program. At the same time, your firm will provide…

Scholarship Recipient Selected for Child Welfare Law Summer Fellowship

The Justice & Diversity Center is delighted to report that Luis Beltran, one of the Bay Area Minority Law Student Scholarship recipients has received the Bergstrom Child Welfare Law Summer Fellowship. This fellowship is committed to inspiring the best and…

Litigator Leverages Firm’s Resources to Provide True Equal Protection

The Justice & Diversity Center (JDC) recognizes Jennifer Estremera of McKool Smith as our Volunteer of the Month for her outstanding work with our Federal Pro Bono Project. With dedicated volunteers like Estremera, the project provides counsel in federal civil…

Legal Writing Tip: Keep a Usage Guide Handy

The art of persuasion is about the effective management of words. Speaking or writing compellingly requires a strong command of language. Lawyers would do well to learn to use it precisely and accurately. With that goal in mind, don’t be…

Venable Signs on as Newest Leader Circle Firm

The Bar Association of San Francisco would like to welcome Venable LLP to its Leaders Circle family. With close to 20 attorneys in its San Francisco office, Venable specializes in all areas of corporate and business law, complex litigation, intellectual…

2016/05